topic Re: Can you export an .ipt file as a 3D .dxf file in Inventor? in Inventor Forum

Can you export an .ipt file as a 3D .dxf file in Inventor?

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 12:07:09 GMT

Hi,

(I'm using Inventor 2018 Professional.)

I would like to export an Inventor .ipt file as a 3D .dxf file. I have read the following post, which suggests exporting the .ipt as a .dwg first, and then opening that .dwg file in Inventor and saving it as a .dxf:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/can-you-export-an-ipt-file-as-a-3d-dxf-file-in-inventor/m-p/6061123#M582941

Well, I can export the .ipt as a .dwg, no problem. But there's no option to save the resulting file as a .dxf. Please help.

I need the the file as a .dxf because that's what the machine shop wants...

Regards,

Anthony

Re: Can you export an .ipt file as a 3D .dxf file in Inventor?

Mark.Lancaster — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 12:09:15 GMT

@Anonymous

If you right mouse click on a face and select export face as..

But is this machine requiring DXF file, making or machining the part in 3D? What type of machine is this?

Re: Can you export an .ipt file as a 3D .dxf file in Inventor?

TheCADWhisperer — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 12:17:55 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
..., and ~~then opening that .dwg file in Inventor~~ and saving it as a .dxf:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/can-you-export-an-ipt-file-as-a-3d-dxf-file-in-inventor/m-p/6061123#M582941

I need the the file as a .dxf because that's what the machine shop wants...y

No, the images in that thread illustrate changing the file from dwg to dxf in AutoCAD, not Inventor.

And as noted - does the shop want a 2D dxf or do they really really want a 3D dxf?

Re: Can you export an .ipt file as a 3D .dxf file in Inventor?

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 13:01:37 GMT

It's just a 3-axis flatbed router. More than that I do not know..

And I've always been confused about this. Are .dxf files 3D or only 2D
(i.e. so that you can generate a 2D tool path)? Could you explain this to
me, as it would really help.

Re: Can you export an .ipt file as a 3D .dxf file in Inventor?

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 14:55:39 GMT

Are you opening the .dwg in Autocad? I think that is what the post you linked shows.

Re: Can you export an .ipt file as a 3D .dxf file in Inventor?

TheCADWhisperer — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 16:04:20 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
... flatbed router. ..
Are .dxf files 3D or only 2D
(i.e. so that you can generate a 2D tool path)? ....

DXF can be either 2D or 3D, but in your case I suspect that all they need is 2D since apparently they are cutting flat sheet stock on the router. In that case, right click on the face as suggested. If you model you part using Sheet Metal tools (even if it is not sheet metal) you have some additional tools on how arcs/splines are converted to dxf.

Attach an example *.ipt here for more information.

Re: Can you export an .ipt file as a 3D .dxf file in Inventor?

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 19:17:23 GMT

I contacted the machine shop and they just need a few 2D profiles, so that's all good. I can slice the model in the right places and export the resulting individual faces as .dxf files (as mentioned earlier in this thread).

BUT that still leaves the more general question. How can I convert an .ipt file to a full 3D .dxf file? Do I need another program for that? AutoCAD for example?

Thanks. Appreciate the help.

Re: Can you export an .ipt file as a 3D .dxf file in Inventor?

TheCADWhisperer — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 19:38:59 GMT

AutoCAD

Re: Can you export an .ipt file as a 3D .dxf file in Inventor?

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 22:04:53 GMT

Then AutoCAD it is.

Many thanks for your help.

-- Anthony